As you have likely heard, ICBC is shifting into Enhanced Care benefits on May 1, 2021. This means better care for British Columbians and lower premiums. Woohoo! Under enhanced care, lost wages are covered up to $100,000 per year.

Those who earn more than $100,000 per year can choose to purchase additional coverage to top-up the amount of income replacement provided, up to a maximum of $200,000 in gross annual income.

Under the current system, if the injury caused a serious or permanent impairment that limited your future earning potential, you could seek additional compensation through legal action, but only if you were not responsible for the crash. You would be paid out for your future wage loss as part of your settlement, and one-third of the settlement would go to your lawyer.

Under Enhanced Care, you will receive 90% of your net, pre-collision income in tax-free, regular installments, whether or not you were responsible for the crash. Those amounts will increase by the rate of inflation every year, and upon reaching age 65, you’ll be eligible for retirement benefits from ICBC, because Enhanced Care is a system designed to support you over a lifetime.

If you’re able to return to work but your injuries prevent you from going back to the same kind of role, ICBC can provide services to help you find a new job that matches your abilities. If that new role pays less than your job before the crash, ICBC will continue to top up your income replacement to 90% of your pre-collision net income.

For more information, please contact your broker or visit ICBC.com